Srark's Book is a gem of understanding the growth of the early Christian Community. However I was quite surprised by hie dependence on Harnack over Luke as Historian in the Acts' account. 3,000 converted on the day of Pentecost.

Just like the early church grew, when it redefined Christ, and fell away from the original doctrine so has the LDS church. Just as an example, look at the way Emma was treated as an historical individual in the 1950s to how she's treated now. There are also other examples of how things have changed, like the way the church viewed blacks or even its views on families, which seems to be the central focus of the church now. So with growth come change and a "falling away." Just something to think about.

Great article. I enjoy reading about the efforts of others to better understand and explain what we see going on.

I disagree however that the Church is only growing because it has changed its doctrine. Anyone who has seriously studied the LDS Church can see that there have been no doctrinal changes, only increased understanding and continuous revelation.

When you look at it through eyes of faith and with a desire to understand, it is inspiring.

"falling away" Mormomonism is and one example of this: "They will turn their ears from the truth and turn aside to myths[BoM]."(2Timothy 4:4 NIV)
The BoM has "a familiar spirit" (Is 29:4)per LeGrand Richards. The Apostles Bible (Greek Septuagint Is 29:14) translation of "A Marvelous Work and wonder is: "and I will destroy the wisdom of the wise", God's judgement against the alliance between assyria and Judah",not the BoM. The Nicene creed was establised by Christians to divide from non-christians.

Great comment anonymous! The doctrine has always remained constant and will continue as such! Christ is leading this church not mankind. It will go forward as a stone cut from the mountain with bare hands till it covers the whole earth. Pure doctrine cannot change due to times & circumstances. Look forward with an eye single to the glory of God and stand steadfast in your beliefs.Please put a name to your comments rather than anonymous as many who slander the LDS use that title. What is there to hide when you speak your own truths?

This article is based on the growth of the Christian Church; it has no relevance on the mormon church or what Joseph Smith created.

I googled the growth of the Seventh Day Adventists (about 18 Million world wide) and the Jehovah Witnesses (about 12 million world wide). Both churches have been around less time than the LDS Church. I think sometimes church members get a little carried away with the "look how fast we are growing" position - several other churches are growing as fast or faster.

Some doctinal changes: BoM teaches one God, "Which Father, Son,and the Holy Ghost are one God, infinite and eternal, without end. Amen(D&C 20;28)also see (2Nephi 31:21 & 3Nephi 11:36) God has always been God: see(Moroni 9:9-11,9:19) also (Moroni 7;22)God is Spirit; see(Alma 18:26-28, Alma 22:9-11) Joseph tasught ther Nicene Creed.
Now check out the King Folliet discourses.

Card has herein revealed his knack for stating the obvious. Interestingly, the growth of ANY organization shares the same patterns and similarities. It is a trivial, uninsightful point.

But Card then falls into logical fallacy. He is trying to say that BECAUSE LDS history parallels Christian history, therefore there is something "true" about LDS history.

But the fact is, the LDS Church's history can be shown to "parallel" the "growth" of fascism in Germany and Italy. It can be shown to share similar patterns to the growth of State Shintoism in Imperial Japan. The growth of radical Islam and the Talban has a similar history, too.

By Card's logic, therefore, we must conclude that the LDS Church is as "true" as Nazism and the Taliban!

Is this really what LDS want to believe? I don't.

Actually, Joseph never taught the Nicene Creed - and it isn't in the BoM either. From the beginning with the First Vision, the Father and the Son were shown to be separate and corporeal - "This is my beloved Son, hear him." Both appeared to the boy Joseph.

References in the Book of Mormon and the Bible both are understood by Mormons (including Joseph Smith), to show that the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are one in purpose and spirit, not in actual substance. Just as Jesus prayed that the disciples might be one with him, as He was one with the Father.

Some scriptural references to Jesus being the Father refer to his having created the earth (under the Father's direction), and to his role as our Savior, since we are to be "born again" spiritually, thus becoming his seed when his atonement has claim on us.

References to God being spirit do not preclude his also having a body. We believe that we all have both a spirit and a body, that the state of resurrection means to have both spirit and body reunited, never to be separated again.

@Re:Hope 11:38 Thank you! Very well said; I couldn't have said it any better!